Apparatus for applying insulating material about electrical devices



Aplll 18, 1961 M. BARDACH ET AL 2,980,565

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING MATERIAL ABOUT ELECTRICAL DEVICES Filed Aug. 15, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

INVENTORS, MART/N BARDACH, DALE H, FIELD, KENNETH E. GOODEN, WILL/AM J. HOOD.

BY flea/g AGENT April 18, 1961 M. BARDACH ET AL 2,980,565

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING MATERIAL Filed Aug. 15. 1957 ABOUT ELECTRICAL DEVICES 7 Sheets- Sheet 2 INVENTOES, MART/N BARDACH, DALE H. FIELD, KENNETH s. aoomw, W/LL/AM J. #0012 BY fiM/g/ AGENT April 18, 1961 M. BARDACH ET AL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING MATERIAL ABOUT ELECTRICAL DEVICES Filed Aug. 15. 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 62 63 28 FIG. 3.

w 67 56 4s Q 58 5/ 4e 74 73 I47 c 7/ we H3 B526 /57 I /s5 "j: 15 1 4 /3/./ [/2 I36 I I87 0 I59 90 I52 I I /75 j I67 1 24 I I8 I68 I84 143 as 232/ I 27 r w T I 210 33 3/ INVENTORS, MARTIN BARDACl-l, DALE H. FIELD, KENNETH E. GOODEN, WILL/AM J. HOOD.

April 18, 1961 M. BARDACH ET AL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING MATERIAL ABOUT ELECTRICAL DEVICES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 15. 1957 Aprll 18, 1961 M. BARDACH ETAL 2,980,565

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING MATERIAL ABOUT ELECTRICAL DEVICES Filed Aug. 15. 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 5/ t ao 71 7e 7e 4 52 as 68 '2 I r w, A 73 77 74 75 70 as 62 Ill L INVENTOPS,

MARTIN BARDACH, DALE H. F/ELD, KENNETH s. aoooz/v, WILL/AM J, HOOD.

BY hm? Assn/r April 18, 1961 Filed Aug. 15. 1957 M. BARDACH ET AL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING MATERIAL ABOUT ELECTRICAL DEVICES 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. I3.

INVENTORS, MART/N BARDACH, DALE H. FIELD, KENNETH E, GOODEN, WILL/AM .1. HOOD.

BY AQ/xg/ Ass/4r APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING MATE- RIAL ABOUT ELECTRICAL DEVICES MartinBardach, Des Moines, Iowa, and Dale H. Field, Kenneth E. Gooden, and William J. Hood, all of Tucson, Ariz., assignors to Hughes Aircraft Company,

Culver City, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 15, 1957, Ser. No. 678,761

6 Claims. (Cl. 154-216) The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for applying an insulatory material to exterior surfaces of electrical components or the like.

When many electrical components are placed in close proximity to each other or to noninsulated conductors, such as may be found in the application of such components to printed circuit sheets, it is necessary to provide electrical insulation between adjacent components and/or such conductors. In most instances, various electrical components are provided with a quantity of insulation which enables normal usage thereof; however, in the specific instances outlined above, it has been found that by wrapping such components with insulating material, adequate insulation may be provided. For production purposes, it is advantageous to utilize an insulating material having a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto. This material is supplied by manufacturers in roll form. However, the type of pressure sensitive adhesive that has been found to be most satisfactory has very high adhesive qualities and is of a nature whereby to permit adhesion thereof to most, if not all, known materials.

With the problem thus stated heretofore, it is evident that normal means for handling roll type material will not sutfice in the present instance. It is obviously necessary that the insulating material must be dispensed from a roll, applied to the electrical components and wrapped thereabout. The normal heretofore known method of handling such material would be to pass this material over rollers that were made of a substance that would not adhere to the adhesive. Many of the heretofore known types of rollers were thus employed without success inasmuch as the adhesive material stuck too tightly to the rollers as to enable use in machines. Applicants even tried oil soaked leather rollers without success.

In accordance with this invention means have now been provided to overcome difficulties normally experienced in connection with the handling of pressure sensitive adhesive material to provide means by which such material may be withdrawn from a roll, engaged with a series of electrical components, severed intermediate components and wrapped about such components.

Another problem has existed in connection with the handling of pressure sensitive adhesive material. This problem relates to the severing of a web of such material at predetermined points or lengths and in a manner whereby to prevent the material from adhering to the severing means. This problem has been solved in the present mechanism.

It is, accordingly, one important object of the invention to provide a novel apparatus for applying .a layer of insulating material about electrical components or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for handling pressure sensitive adhesive material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for withdrawing insulating material from a roll, applying an adhesive surface of such material to electrical components at spaced intervals along a web' of such material, severing the web of material at prede termined points and thereafter rolling each of the electrical components Within severed sections of the material web. 1

A still further important object of the invention is .to provide a novel apparatus for applying an insulating material to outer peripheral surfaces of electrical components wherein such apparatus is relatively simple in construction, efficient in operation, reliable in use and which lends itself readily for use in mass productiontechniques.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel cutoff means for severing a web of material having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating whereby to prevent adhesion of the material to a cutoff means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novelmeans for transporting tape type material and applying such material to exterior surfaces of electrical com-;

ponents.

Other and further important objects of the invention will become apparent from the disclosures in the following detailed specificatiom-appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the present insula tion applying apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof showing substantially the driving mechanism for the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the driving and transport mechanism, as taken sub-' stantially as indicated by line 33, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing a portion of the driving mechanism and taken substantially indicated by line 44, Fig. l;

- line 5-5, Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary sectional view. showing a portion of the insulation cutofi mechanism and means for operating such mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse sectional view showing a portion of the electrical component de-- livery mechanism as taken substantially as indicated by line 7-7, Fig. l; i

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, transverse sectional view showing another portion of the electrical component delivery apparatus and component selection mechanisms,

as taken substantially as indicated by line 88, Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partially in section, showing a portion of the control operating mechanism for an electrical control circuit, as taken substantially as indicated by line 12-12, Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view showing a portion of the finished component delivery mechanism, as taken substantially as indicated by line '13-13, Fig. l; and

Fig. 14 is an electrical circuit diagram showing the control means for the present apparatus.

With reference. to the drawings wherein like refer ence numerals indicate like parts, the present insulation Patented Apr. 18, 1961.

applying apparatus is shown as indicated generally at 20. Generally, the apparatus 20 includes an insulation supply station and arrangement 21; an electrical component delivery apparatus 22; a component and insulation transporting mechanism 23; a cutoff mechanism 24 for strips of insulating material; and an apparatus 25 for wrapping strip insulation about electrical component. Additionally, adriving means, indicated generally at 26, is supplied for the various mechanisms and specific apparatus hereof.

The insulation applying apparatus 20 includes a main, generally planar support plate 27 from which all of the mechanisms described generally hereinbefore depend. The support plate 27 is disposed generally vertically and has a supplemental supporting plate 28 connected thereto as by means of suitable bolts3tl. The support plate 27 is maintained in the vertical position by means of suitable legs 31, 32 and 33, which are in turn connected to the support plate and braced by means of suitable angular web type braces 34. The support plate 27 is further irregularly relieved as at 35 (Fig. 2) and has alip or lower extension portion formed integrally therewith.

With reference primarily to Figs. 1 and 5, the insulating material dispensing mechanism 21 includes a supply support roller36 that is mounted on a sleeve 37 which is in turn secured to a shaft 38 by means of a nut 40 and an outer plate 41. The shaft 38 is connected to the support plate 27 and secured thereto by means of a nut 42. A supply of insulating material is disposed on the roller 36 and indicated at 43. The material 43 is dispensed from the supply and carried through the present apparatus in the form of a web 44. The material 43 is of a type having excellent insulating characteristics for electrical purposes and is provided with a surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive material disposed thereon. The material 43 is wound on the supply roller in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, it being noted that the web 44 extending therefrom, thereby has the adhesive surface thereof on the leftward side, as viewed in Fig. 1.

From the supply 43, the web 44 of the insulating material is adapted to extend over a guide roller 45, this roller being provided with a frictional surface defined by a resilient sleeve 46. The roller 45 further has a flange 47 on one side thereof and a cover plate 48 on another side thereof, the cover plate being secured thereto by means of bolts 50. The flange 47 and plate 48 serve to retain the sleeve 46 in position. The roller 45 is secured to a shaft 51 by means of a nut 52, the shaft 51 being journalled in suitable bearings 53 that are disposed in and carried by a bearing support 54 that is in turn secured in a suitable opening in the plate 27 and'retained therein by means of bolts 55. The rearward portion of the shaft 51 is adapted to carry a pulley 56 that is secured thereon by means of a nut 57. The shaft 51 is further provided with collars 58 and 60 that are positioned outboard of and adapted to engage the bearings 53 in order to position the shaft properly with respect to the bearings and the plate 27.

It may thus be seen that the web 44 of the insulating material is adapted to extend about the outer surface of the roller 45 and the surface of the sleeve 46 mounted thereon, and that the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of the Web 44 is positioned radially outwardly relative to the surface of the sleeve 46, whereby to create no tendency for the adhesive to adhere to the sleeve.

After leaving the roller 45, the web 44 extends over a pair of guide rollers 61 (Figs. 1 and 3) that are rotatably' carried by a shaft 62 that is in turn mounted on an arm 63. The arm 63 is pivotally mounted on the plate 27, as by a pin 64, with the arm 63 being biased in a clockwise direction about the pin 64 by means of a tension spring 65 that is disposed between a pin 66 carried by the arm 63'anda' pin 67 mounted on the support plate 27. In connection with the rollers 61, it is to be noted that these rollers are provided with sharp annular, peripheral edges. The web 44, as it leaves the surface of the sleeve 46 about the roller 45, has the adhesive side thereof disposed in engagement with the sharp annular edges of the rollers 61 and, due to these sharp edges, only a small area of the adhesive is engaged thereby. Thus, means are provided by which the web 44 may be guided and suitable tension retained thereon without requiring the excessive force that would otherwise be necessary to pull the web from the guide rollers in the event a large area of the adhesive surface would be in contact with such rollers having broad engaging surfaces. As the web 44 leaves the rollers 61, it is delivered to a contoured surface 68 of a floating backup member 70. The backup member 70 forms a portion of the transport mechanism 23 and is shown in detail in Figs. 1 and 11. The backup member 70 is supported in spaced relationship to the plate 27 by means of spacers 71 that are located in openings 72 in the plate 27. Bolts 73 extend through suitable enlarged openings 74 in the member 70 and threadably engage each of the spacers 71. Additionally, bolt and washer combinations 7'5 serve to retain the spacers 71 in the openings '72 in the support plate 27. The backup members 70 is thus permitted limited movemerit about the shanks of the bolts '73 by reason of the enlarged openings 74 surrounding these shanks. Additionally, the member 70 is biased in a rightward direction, as viewed in Fig.1, by means of compression springs 76 that are disposed in recesses 77 and surround pins 78 that are in turn depended from brackets 80. The brackets 80 are adjustably secured to the plate 27 by means of bolts 81. The web 44 is guided with respect to the surface 68 of the member 70 by means of a pair of guide members or rollers 82 that are secured to the member 70 by means of screws 83 and have peripheral portions thereof which extend beyond the surface 68. As shown in Fig. 1, the surface 68 is first convex in the upper portion thereof and then concave as at 84 to terminate in a straight portion 85 that is generally tangent to the surface 84. A lower end of the surface 85 is defined by a nonmetallic insert 89, the functions of the particular contours of the various surfaces of the member 70 to be further discussed hereinafter.

As shown primarily in Figs. 1, 7, 8 and 9, the electrical component delivery apparatus 22- comprises a rear supporting plate 84 that is secured to the supplemental supporting plate 28 by means of suitable bolts 85. With reference to Figs. 1 and 7, the apparatus 22 further includes a chute comprising a pair of channel members 86 and 87 that are disposed at substantially forty five degrees with respect to a horizontal. An upper end of the members 86 and 87 are bent toward a horizontal, with the lowermost of the members, 87, being slightly longer than the uppermost of these members, 86. A track is therefore provided to guide a series of electrical components, indicated at C, these components being manually disposed in the chute by placement upon the upper exposed surface of the chute portion 87. The component chute is supported with respect to the plate 84 by means of a bracket 88 that is secured to the plate 84 by means of a bolt 98. The bracket 88 is adapted to support a pair of parallel arms 91, ends of which are maintained in spaced relationship by means of spacers 32 and suitable bolts 93. The bracket 88 is secured to one of the arms 91 by means of rivets 94 with the arms 91 being in turn secured to the channel members 86 and 87 by means of rivets 95. A similar bracket arrangement supports a lower, inner end portion of the chute.

Means are provided at the lower end of the chute defined by the channel members 86 and 87, to effect a dispensing of a single component C at a predetermined time, in order for delivery thereof at a proper time to to a block 98 and secured thereto by means of rivets 100. The blade 96 has an inwardly extending portion 101 that extends freely through a rectangular opening 102 in and positioned adjacent a lower end of the channel member 87. The blade 97 also has an inwardly extending portion 103 that is disposed below a lower end of the channel member 86. The inwardly extending ends 101 and 103 of the blades 96 and 97 respectively are positioned to overlap one another for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. The supporting block 98, for the blades 96 and 97, is secured to a shaft 104 that is in turn pivotally disposed in a bracket block 105 connected to the plate 84. The upper end of the shaft 104 is fitted with a suitable nut 106. The shaft 104 extends through the block 98 and through an integral portion 107 of the block 98 and an actuating arm 108. The shaft is secured against rotation in the block 98 by means of a pin 109. The arm 108 is secured to the block portion 107 by means of screws 110 which threadably engage the block portion 107.

The arm 108 has an actuating end portion 111 that is adapted for engagement with a toothed plate 112 carried by a wheel 113 of the transport mechanism 23. The plate 112 has radially extending arm portions 114 that are circumferentially spaced thereabout in order to effect timed sequential engagement and movement of the arm 108 and the dispensing of a single component at a particular time interval relative to rotation of the wheel 113. The particular time sequence for the dispensing of the components will be hereinafter more fully described. As the arm 108 and the portion 111 thereof is engaged and rotated about the axis of the shaft 104, the block 98 will also be rotated whereby to reciprocate the arms 96 and 97.

The separating and dispensing action of the arms 96 and 97 in cooperation with the channel members 86 and 87 serves to separate the lowermost of the components within the chute from the penultimate component and deliver this separated component from the end of the chute. It is to be noted that the arms 96 and 97 are shown in Figs. 7 and 8 as being in a central or neutral position whereas, in reality with reference to Fig. 8, these arms and the block 98 are biased, together with the lever 108, in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 8) about the axis of the shaft 104, by means of a compression spring 115 which has one end disposed in a recess 116 in the plate 28 and the other end surrounding a pin 117 contained in an outwardly extending end portion of the block 98. Another end portion of the block 98 is fitted with an adjustable stop member 118, having a lock nut 120, with the end of the stop member 118 being adapted for engagement with an outer surface of the plate 28. Thus, engagement of the arm portions 114 with the portion 111 of the lever 108 will serve to move the lever 108 together with the arms 96 and 97 in a clockwise direction against the compression of the spring 115 and about the axis of the shaft 104. As described hereinbefore, this action serves to deposit one of the components from the end of the chute defined by the channels 86 and 87. It is to be understood the various diameter components may require a change in lateral spacing be tween the arms 96 and 97.

With reference to Figs. 1, 3 and 12, the transport mechanism 23, described in part hereinbefore, includes the main driving wheel 113 that carries the actuating member 112, the member 112 being secured thereto by means of bolts 121. The wheel 113 has a series of concave annular segments 122 in the outer peripheral surface thereof, the apexes of these segments being defined by circumferentially narrow concave grooves 123. An insert 124 is disposed in the base of each of the grooves 123 and retained therein by means of enlarged contoured head por tions 125, a nut 126 being fitted on opposite ends of each of :the inserts 124. The inserts 124 serve to retain a laterally disposed resilient member 127, which maybe made from rubber or the like and which is for a purpose to be more fully described.

The wheel 113 is mounted on a shaft 128 and secured thereon by means of a nut 130. The shaft 128 is journalled in suitable bearings 131 that are supported in a bearing retainer 132 which is in turn retained in the plate 27 and secured thereto by means of bolts 133. The rearwardly extending portion of the shaft 128 has a sprocket 134 mounted thereon and secured thereto by means of a nut 135. Suitable spacers 136 and 137 are carried by the shaft 128 and disposed on outboard sides of the bearings 131 in order to establish proper location of the shaft 128 relative to the bearings and disposition of the wheel 113 relative to the plate 27.

With reference primarily to Fig. 2, it is to be noted that the driving mechanism 26- is provided for the sprocket 134 and the pulley 56. This driving mechanism comprises an electric motor 138 that is mounted on the forward surface of the plate 27 and secured thereto by means of bolts 140. A shaft 141, of the motor 138, supports .both a sprocket 142 and a pulley 143, Fig. 5, the sprocket 142 is adapted for engagement by a chain 144 which extends therefrom to the sprocket 134. The shaft 141 is journalled in suitable bearings 139 that are retained in a support 149 that is, in turn, secured to the plate 27 by means of bolts 159. A belt 145 is disposed about the driving pulley 143 and extends about the pulley 56, whereby to provide a driving means for the roller 45. The belt 145 is maintained in suitable tension by means of a tension roller 146 carried by the end of an arm 147 which is in turn pivotally secured to the support plate 27 as at 148. A block 150 is pivotally mounted on the plate 27 and has a rod 151 extending therefrom which pivotally engages the arm 147 as at 152. A pair of stop nuts 153 threadably engage the rod 151 and are disposed on each side of the block 150, whereby to establish the position of the arm 147 and the associated tension ap plied to the belt 145. It is to be noted that the directions of driving of the pulley 143, the sprocket 134 and pulley 56 are as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2 whereby to drive the roller 45 (Fig. 1) in a clockwise direction and the wheel 113 (Fig. 1) in a counterclockwise direction. The motor 138 drives both the pulley and the roller 45 together with the wheel 113 in an intermittent manner.

Referring now again to Fig.-1, and referring to the actuating member 112 and the portions 114 thereof, it is to be noted that the portions 114 are positioned in such a manner as to engage the portion 111 of thelever 108,

whereby to deposit one of the components C in each of the elongated recesses 123' of the wheel 113 as these recesses pass the lower end of the chute defined by the channels 86 and 87. Any tendency for the components C to turn within the recesses 123 is obviated by engagement thereof with outer surfaces of the resilient inserts 127. The components are thus gravitationally retained in the recesses 123 and carried by the wheel 113 until one side thereof engages the adhesive side of the web 44 of insulating material, as this web enters the area of the backing member 70 defined by the concave surface 84 thereof. Thereafter, one surface of each of the components will adhere to one specific area of the web 44, this action being sufficient, together with the pressure of the backup member 70, to remove the web 44 from the sharp annular surfaces of the tension and guide rollers 61. Thus, a problem normally encountered in previous devices involving the dispensation and delivery of adhesive material is solved by eliminating otherwise necessary guide rollers and effecting transportation of the adhesive material together with the components to which it is to be attached through contact with the components per se rather than with any auxiliary roller or other guide devices. The nonadhesive side of the insulating material is therefore permitted to ride upon the surfaces 68, 84 and of the backup member 70 and no tendency is thus exhibited for the insulating material to adhere to these surfaces.

ease-nee the. web 44 0f the insulating material leaves the con-- cave surface 84 of the backup member 1701 and continues gravitationally along the surface 85, thecomponents C that are now adhesively secured thereto will gravitational- 1y leave the recesses 123 in the wheel 113. Upon leaving the surface 85, the web 44 will move gravitationally down wardly carrying the component therewith and-passes between a pair of blades 154' and 155. As will be hereafter more fully described, the blades 154 and 155 serve to sever the web 44 immediately below each component C carried thereby. v

As shown primarily in Figs. 6 and 10, the blade 154 is carried by' a bracket block member 156 that is secured to the plate 27 by means of a bolt 157 and ,a' pin 158 which extend into a spacer portion 160 formed integrally with the block 156. The block 156 is provided witha recess 161 in the upper surface thereof, this recessbeing generally U-shaped and serving slidably to retain a U- shaped backup block 162; Outerends 163 of the block 162 are positioned to engage an upper surfaceof the blade 154 and are biased outwardly toward the end of the blade 154 by means of a compression spring 164 which engages the rearward end of the recess 161 and surrounds a pin 165 disposed from the backup block 162. The backup block 162 is retained in therecess by means of a cover plate, Fig. 6, 169 that is secured to the supporting block 156 by means of screws 179.

. The blade 155 is carried by an outer end of a slide 166, the slide 166 being reciprocally positioned in ways defined by elongated strip members 167 that are secured to a supporting body'163 by means of a plurality of screws 179. The body 163 is mounted on the support plate 27 and secured thereto by means of suitable bolts 171 and pins 172. Additionally, the slide 166 is biased in a direction to maintain the blades 154 and 155in an open position by means of a tension spring 173 having one end connected to a pin 174 disposed from the slide 166 and the other end connected to a pin 175 disposed from the block body 16%;.

With reference to Fig. 6,, it is to be noted that the left-ward end of the slide 166 is biased in an upward direction' relative to the ways defined by the members 167 and the body 168, by means of a ball 176 contained within a bore 177 and having a compression spring 178 disposed therein. The other end of the compression spring engages a threaded plug 1811. Additionally, it is to be noted that the slide 166, supporting the blade .155, further serves to support a strip of resilient material such as sponge rubher or the like 131 on the upper surface of the blade 155, the purpose of which to be hereinafter more fully described.

The slide 166 and the blade 155 carried thereby are reciprocated by means of a cam 182 that is mounted on a shaft 183, Fig. 3, the shaft 183 beingiournalled in suitable bearings 184- carried in a bearing support 155 which is in turn mounted on the plate 27 and secured thereto by means of bolts 136. An electricmotor 187 is connected to the outer end of the shaft 183, the motor 157 being mounted on a suitable bracket 18% that is secured to the plate 27. The shaft 183 is further provided with suitable spacers 1859 and 199 that are disposed on each side of the bearings 184, whereby to establish the desired position for the cam 82. The earn 182 is adapted to engage a follower 191 that is carried on the outer end of a slide guilding block 192. The block 192 is secured to the slide 166 by means of screws 1%, th'e're being adjusting means 194 for positioning the block relative to the slide 166 and a lock means 195, whereby to lock the adjustment in the position; desired. 7 p

The motor 1 7- is continuously operable, while the motor 13% driving the wheel 113 and the material supply'rneaus is intermittently operable. With the motor 1'35 in operation, de-energization thereof is accomplished by engagement of a normally open switch 196, Fig. 12, and a roller 197 carried by'an arm thereof, with the contoured head portion-of the' bolts 126 that aredisposedinthe recesses 123 of the wheel113; Inasmuch as the wheel 1-13 is intermittently operab1e,: the switch 196 will be first opened to stop the motor 138. Thereafter, the timed sequence of operation of the blade 158, as controlled bythe motor 137, serves'to place the slide 166 in a position whereby an end 201, Fig. 10, thereof is spaced from an operating lever 20%) of a normally open switch 158, mounted on a suitable bracket 2112, secured to the plate 27. The switch 198 is secured to the block body 168' by means of suitable screws 203. The switch 198 is wired in parallel with the switch 196 and with both of these'switches open, the motor 138 will remain de-energized until the slide 166 returns to the position shown in Fig. I lOagain .to close the switch 198 and energize the motor 138' to again rotate the wheel 113 together with the material supply means. Thus, a complete cycle is accomplished and cut off of the web '44 is made with the wheel113, and the web, at a standstill.

With reference now primarily to. Figs. 1, 5 and 13, as th'eweb 14 is cut off by means of the blades 154 and at a. point just below the last component carried by the web, this component is retained in position by means of the backup block 162 and the sponge rubber strip 181. Withreference to Fig. 6, it is to be noted that at this time, the component that has passed between the blades 15d and 155 is in position to be deposited between a belt Ztl iand a resilient backup surface 205. Thus, the component so delivered between the belt 204 and the surface 205 has a trailing portion of the web 4'4 extending therefrom.

to a point immediately below the blades 154 and 155 and engagement of the component between the belt 204 and the surface 205 serves to pull the severed portion of the web 4 4 from the blades to prevent any sticking thereto.

It is to be noted that the belt 204 is disposed about a pair of pulleys 2116 and 2117. The pulley 206 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 208 which is in turn carried by one end of an arm 21% the other end of the arm 210 being pivotally supported at 211 on a shaft that is connected to the plate 27;. The arm 210 is biased in a direction to maintain the belt 2E4 in tension by means of a compression spring 212 that is disposed between one side of the arm 210 and a block 213. The block 213 is secured "K0 the plate 27 by means of suitable screws 214. The

pulley 207 is mounted on a shaft 215, Fig. 4, that is in turn journalled' in suitable. bearings. 216 carried in a bearing support 217 that is. mounted in and secured to the plate27 bymeans of. suitable screws 218. The outer end of the shaft 215 is provided with a pulley 22th over which. a belt 221 extends. The other end of the belt 221 is adapted for disposition over a pulley 222 that is mounted on a shaft 223 that is also journalled in suitable bearing 224 carried by a bearing support 225 that is mounted in and. secured to the plate 27, by means of screws 225. Each of the shafts 215 and 223 are provided with suitable spacers which engage the respective bearings supporting the shafts. The shaft 223 extends to a continuously driven' motor 227 that is mounted on one of the angular web braces 34, that is in turn secured to the plate 27. and leg 31. It may thus be seen that the pulley 267 will be continuously driven and that the belt 204 will also be continuously driven. .The pulleys 206 and 207 operate in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. l.

A backup member 230 is provided for a central section of the belt 204, this member being an L-shaped structure that is adjustably secured to the plate 27 by means ofscrews 231. V

The resilient surface member 205 is mounted on an L-shaped bracket 232 in such a position that the surface of the member 205 is in a predetermined spaced relationship to the surface of the belt 204. The bracket 232 is adjustably secured to the support plate 27 by means of screws 233.

It may thus be seen that as the component C and the trailing portion of the web 44 enters the space between the belt 204 and the resilient material 205, the component and the insulating material will be rolled between the surfaces of the belt 204 and the resilient material 205, whereby to wrap the insulating material about the outer surface of the component. Thereafter, the wrapped component will move gravitationally from the surfaceof the belt 204 for disposition in a suitable receptacle 234 deposited therebeneath.

With reference to the wiring diagram of Fig. 14, it is to be noted that a main switch 235 (also Fig. 2) is pro vided which initials operation of the motors 187 and 227.v

The motor 138 is controlled through the switches 196 and 198 as described hereinbefore, there being a variable resistance 236 across the motor 138 whereby to permit the speed thereof to be regulated in order to vary the speed of lateral movement of the cutoff blade 155 relative to the blade 154.

'It may thus be seen that an efiicient means has been provided to effect the wrapping of an insulating materialabout electrical components in an effective and rapid manner and further in such a manner as to enable the efficient handling of pressure sensitive adhesive surfaced material, thus solving the problems heretofore encountered with such handling.

Having thus described the invention and the'present embodiment thereof, it is desired to emphasize the fact that many modifications may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

We claim: l.-In an apparatus for applying insulating material to electrical devices, the combination of: a supporting struc ture; roll material support and supply apparatus carried by said structure and adapted to dispense a continuous web of said material; intermittently operable device dispensing apparatus carried by said structure; sharp edged roller guides disposed in operable association withfsnid material dispensing apparatus; rotatably operable device transporting apparatus rotatably carried by said support ing structure and adapted for individuallyreceiving said devices from said device dispensing apparatus; means for preventing rotation of said devices in said transporting apparatus; means for delivering said web of said material to said transporting apparatus for application to said devices at spaced positions thereon; spring loaded backup means disposed partially about said transporting apparatus for supporting said web of said material incontact With said devices; means for receiving said devices from said transporting apparatus and for separating said devices and said web of said material applied thereto from each other; wrapping means for receiving said devices from said separating means and for applying said separated Web of said material thereabout, thereafter to deliver devices having said material applied thereto therefrom; and means carried by said structure for driving said dispensing and transport apparatuses and said separating and wrapping means.

2. In an apparatus for applying insulating material to electrical devices, the combination of: a supporting structure; roll material support and supply apparatus carried by'said structure and adapted to dispense a continuous web of said material; intermittently operable device dispensing apparatus carried by said structure; sharp edged roller guides disposed in operable association with said material dispensing apparatus; rotatably operable device transporting apparatus rotatably carried by said supporting structure and adapted for individually receiving said devices from said device dispensing apparatus; means for preventing rotation of said devices in Said transporting apparatus; means for deliveringsaid web of said material to said transporting apparatus for application to said devices at spaced positions thereon; spring loaded backup means disposed partially about a peripheral area of said r. 10 a transporting apparatus for supporting said web of said material in contact with said devices; means for receiving said devices from said transporting apparatus and for separating said devices and said web of said material applied thereto from each other; wrapping means for receiving said devices from said separating means and for applying said separated web of said material thereabout, thereafter to deliver devices having said material applied thereto therefrom; and electric motor means carried by said structure for driving said dispensing and transport apparatusesand said cutting and wrapping means in timed sequences of operation.

3. An apparatus for applying insulating tape material to exterior surfaces of electrical devices comprising, in combination: a supporting structure; means for rotatably retaining a roll of said tape material on said supporting structure, said tape material having a pressure sensitive adhesive coatingon one side thereof; means for dispensing a web of said tape material from said roll thereof, said dispensing means being adapted to engage a nonadhesive surface of said tape materiahsharp edged roller guide means positioned adjacent said dispensing means on said supporting structure andvadapted for engagement with said adhesive surface of said tape material; a device supply and dispensing means carried by said supporting structure; a rotatable transporting apparatus for said devices, said transporting apparatus having circumferentially spaced, peripheral device receiving recesses therein, said device dispensing apparatus being adaptedto deposit an individual device in each of said recesses; a backup member disposed partially to surround a peripheral areav of said transporting apparatus, said web of said material being adapted for disposition between said backup member and said transporting apparatus whereby to permit engagement of said devices carried by'said transporting apparatus with said adhesive surface of said web of said tape material; means disposed in operable association with each of said recesses in said transporting apparatus for preventing rotation of said devices in said recesses; cutting means carried by said supporting structure and adapted for receiving said web of said tape material and said devices adhesively carried thereby, said cutting means being adapted toseversaid Web of said material intermediate said devices; tape material wrapping means carried by said supporting structure and adapted to receive said devices and said severed portions of said web from said cutting means and thereafter to wrap said material about said devices, said devices having said tape material wrapped thereon being dispensed from said wrapping means; and electric motor driving means for said transporting apparatus and said web dispensing, cutting and wrapping means, said driving means being operable in timed sequence with movement of said web of tape material and devices carried thereby.

4. An apparatus for applying insulating tape material to exterior surfaces of electrical devices comprising, in combination: a supporting structure; means for rotatably retaining a roll of said tape material on said supporting structure, said tape material having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on one side thereof; means for dispensing a web of said tape material from said roll thereof, said dispensing means being adapted to engage a nonadhesive surface of said tape material; sharp edged roller guide means positioned adjacent said dispensing means on said supporting structure and adapted for engagement with said adhesive surface of said tape material; an intermittently operable device supply and dispensing means carried by said supporting structure; a rotatable transporting apparatus for said devices, said transporting apparatus having circumferentially spaced, peripheral device receiving recesses therein, said device dispensing apparatus being adapted to deposit an individual device in each of said recesses in said transporting apparatus and in response to rotation of said transporting apparatus; a backup member disposed partially to surround a periph' era! area of said transporting apparatus, said web of said material being adapted for disposition between said backup member and said transporting apparatus whereby to permit engagement of said devices carried by said transporting apparatus with said adhesive surface of said web of said tape material; means disposed in operable association with each of said recesses in said transporting apparatus for preventing rotation of said devices in said recesses; bladed cutting means carried by said supporting structure and adapted for receiving said web of said tape material and said devices adhesively carried thereby, said bladed cutting means being adapted to sever said web of said material intermediate said devices; tape material wrapping means carried by said supporting structure and adapted to receive said devices and said severed portions of said web from said bladed cutting means and thereafter to wrap said material about said devices, said devices having said tape material wrapped thereon being dispensed from said wrapping means; and electric motor driving means for said transporting apparatus and said web dispensing bladed cutting and wrapping means, said driving means being operable in timed sequence with movement of said web of tape material and devices carried thereby.

5. An apparatus for applying insulating tape material to exterior surfaces of electrical devices comprising, in combination: a supporting structure; means for rotatably retaining a roll of said tape material on said supporting structure, said tape material having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on onetside thereof; driven roller means for dispensing a web of said tape material from said roll thereof, said dispensing means being adapted to engage a nonadhesive surface of said tape material; sharp edged roller guide means positioned adjacent said roller dispensing means on' said supporting structure and adapted for engagement with said adhesive surface of said tape material; an intermittently operable device supply and dispensing means carried by said supporting structure; a rotatable transporting apparatus for said devices and carried by said supporting structure, said transporting apparatus having circumferentially spaced, peripheral device receiving recesses therein, said device dispensing apparatus being adapted to deposit an individual device in each of said recesses in said transporting apparatus and in response to rotation of and engagement with said transporting apparatus; a spring biased backup member disposed partially to surround a peripheral area of said transporting apparatus, said web of said material being adapted for disposition between said backup member and said transporting apparatus whereby to permit engagement of said devices carried by said transporting apparatus with said adhesive surface of said web of said tape material; means disposed in operable association with each of said recesses in said transporting apparatus for preventing rotation of said devices in said recesses; bladed cutting means carried by said supporting structure and adapted for receiving said web of said tape material and said devices adhesively carried thereby, said bladed cutting means being cam intermittently operated and being adapted to sever said web of said material intermediate said devices; tape material wrapping means carried by said supporting structure and adapted to receive said devices and said severed portions of said web from said bladed cutting means and thereafter to wrap said material about said devices, said devices having said tape material wrapped thereon being dispensed from said wrapping means; and electric motor driving means for said transporting apparatus and said roller 12 bladed cutting and wrapping means, said driving means being operable in timed sequence with movement of said web of tape material and devices carried thereby.

6. An apparatus for applying insulating tape material to exterior surfaces of electrical devices comprising, in combination: a supporting structure; means for rotatably retaining a roll of said tape material on said supporting structure, said tape material having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on one side thereof; driven roller means for dispensing a web of said tape material from said roll thereof, said dispensing means being adapted to engage a nonadhesive surface of said tape material; sharp edged roller guide means positioned adjacent said roller dispensing means on said supporting structure and adapted for engagement with said adhesive surface of said tape material; a device supply chute having an intermittently operable dispensing means, said chute'and s'aid' dispensing means being carried by said supporting structure; a rotatable transporting apparatus for said devices and carried by said supporting structure, said transporting apparatus having circumferentially spaced, peripheral device receiving recesses thereon, said device dispensing apparatus being adapted to deposit an individual device in each of said recesses in said transporting apparatus and in response to rotation of and engagement with portions of said transporting apparatus; 'a spring biased backup member disposed partially to surround a peripheral area of said transporting apparatus, said web of said material being adapted for disposition between said backup member and said transporting apparatus whereby to permit engagement of said devices carried by said transporting apparatus with said adhesive surface of said web of said tape material; means disposed in operable association with each of said recesses in said transporting apparatus for preventing rotation of said devices in said recesses; bladed cutting means carried by said supporting structure and adapted for receiving said web of said tape material and said devices adhesively carried thereby, said bladed cutting means being cam intermittently operated and being adapted to sever said web of said material intermediate said devices; resilient device holding means operatively associated with said bladed cutting means; tape material wrapping means carried by said supporting structure and adapted to receive said devices and said severed portions of said web from said bladed cutting means and thereafter to wrap said material about said devices, said devices having said tape material wrapped thereon being dispensed from said wrapping means; and multiple electric motor driving means for said transporting apparatus and said roller bladed cutting and wrapping means, said driving means being operable in timed sequence with movement of said web of tape material and devices carried thereby, said driving mechanism connected with said bladed cutting means having switch control means operable by engagement with said transporting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,501,341 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING MATERIAL TO ELECTRICAL DEVICES, THE COMBINATION OF: A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, ROLL MATERIAL SUPPORT AND SUPPLY APPARATUS CARRIED BY SAID STRUCTURE AND ADAPTED TO DISPENSE A CONTINUOUS WEB OF SAID MATERIAL, INTERMITTENTLY OPERABLE DEVICE DISPENSING APPARATUS CARRIED BY SAID STRUCTURE, SHARP EDGED ROLLER GUIDES DISPOSED IN OPERABLE ASSOCIATION WITH SAID MATERIAL DISPENSING APPARATUS, ROTATABLY OPERABLE DEVICE TRANSPORTING APPARATUS ROTATABLY CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND ADAPTED FOR INDIVIDUALLY RECEIVING SAID DEVICES FROM SAID DEVICE DISPENSING APPARATUS, MEANS FOR PREVENTING ROTATION OF SAID DEVICES IN SAID TRANPORTING APPARATUS, MEANS FOR DELIVERING SAID WEB OF SAID MATERIAL TO SAID TRANSPORTING APPARATUS FOR APPLICATION TO SAID DEVICES AT SPACED POSITIONS THEREON, SPRING LOADED BACKUP MEANS DISPOSED PARTIALLY ABOUT SAID TRANSPORTING APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING SAID WEB OF SAID MATERIAL IN CONTACT WITH SAID DEVICES, MEANS FOR RECEIVING SAID DEVICES FROM SAID TRANSPORTING APPARATUS AND FOR SEPARATING SAID DEVICES AND SAID WEB OF SAID MATERIAL APPLIED THERETO FROM EACH OTHER, WRAPPING MEANS FOR RECEIVING SAID DEVICES FROM SAID SEPARATING MEANS AND FOR APPLYING SAID SEPARATED WEB OF SAID MATERIAL THEREABOUT, THEREAFTER TO DELIVER DEVICES HAVING SAID MATERIAL APPLIED THERETO THEREFROM, AND MEANS CARRIED BY SAID STRUCTURE FOR DRIVING SAID DISPENSING AND TRANSPORT APPARATUSES AND SAID SEPARATING AND WRAPPING MEANS. 